No Holds Bard festival in the Argus

The South Wales Argus, sponsor of the No Holds Bard festival of new one act plays, featured the forthcoming event twice in today's edition - once on its diary page and again in its special supplement to mark the 10th anniversary of Newport achieving city status. They also ran a competition which gave 10 lucky readers a pair of tickets each to see No Holds Bard. Thanks to everyone at the Argus - and look forward to seeing you at the Dolman Theatre 15 - 17 March.

Newport Playgoers Select Bristol Writer's Play for RSC Open Stages

A play written by a Bristol man has won a competition to be staged by Newport Playgoers Society at the Dolman Theatre – with the possibility of going on to be performed at Stratford as part of the World Shakespeare Year celebrations.

Winning playwright Russell Walker

Russell Walker’s play ‘To Sleep Perchance to Die’ explores the actor’s eternal nightmare of being pushed on to a stage not knowing the play or the words. Complete with surreal staging and plenty of blood-filled death scenes, it promises to be an innovative and lively production.

‘To Sleep’ is one of four one act plays that won the competition organised by Newport Playgoers as their contribution to the nationwide Royal Shakespeare Company’s Open Stages project which has over 260 amateur dramatic companies from all over the UK taking part.

“I was really pleased that my play was chosen for this prestigious event,” said 52-year-old Russell, a speech and language therapist who is originally from Kentucky, USA, but now lives in Clifton Wood. “The aim of the competition, which had entries from all over the world, was to give a modern take on Shakespeare and create something that today’s audiences will enjoy and find totally accessible. I hope that people will come along and enjoy an evening that promises to be full of fun and surprises.”

The ‘No Holds Bard’ festival of one act plays is at the Dolman Theatre in Newport from 15 – 17 March. Tickets can be booked by phoning the box office on 01633 263670 or visiting www.dolmantheatre.co.uk.

Actors wanted for RSC Open Stages!

CALLING all actors! Here’s your chance to be in one of the four plays selected for the No Holds Bard festival of one act plays, which is Newport Playgoers’ contribution to the UK-wide RSC Open Stages event.

The plays will be performed on 15 -17 March 2012on the main stage. Each play is about 20 to 30 minutes with no more than 6 cast members. Sets will be simple, with the build starting on 12 March.

This is your chance to be part of an exciting project co-ordinated by the world famous Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Its aim is to embrace, develop and celebrate amateur theatre to re-forge the bond with the world of professional theatre. Newport Playgoers is proud to be part of this scheme which will culminate in a national showcase of amateur performances at the RSC’s home in Stratford-upon-Avon, to coincide with the World Shakespeare Festival in 2012.

The Winning Plays and Playwrights

‘Only Words Remain’ by Kevin Myers
Staff at a nursing home are faced with a puzzle when an elderly man with no name is placed in their care. But who is the mysterious Mr Smith? A story about love, loss and the power and persistence of language.

Directed by: Rosemary Bissex.

‘Poor Yorick’ by Phil Mansell
Yorick the jester is not dead – he’s on the road dying a death as he pioneers stand-up comedy. Failing miserably, he is persuaded by his tavern wench girlfriend Bess to return to Elsinore and get his old job back – but once there he becomes embroiled in Hamlet’s plans for revenge.

Directed by: Caroline Drewett-Mansell.


‘To Dream Perchance to Die’ by Russell Walker
A wildy surreal play exploring the actor’s nightmare - as it happens over and over and over again.

Directed by: Jes Hynes.


‘Roman and Julia’ by Gary Dooley
The course of true love for an elderly couple in a nursing home runs far from smooth – until a friend lends a hand.

Directed by: Russell Walker.